Pilgrims from the Diocese of Covington return from Jubilee pilgrimage to Rome — an experience of a lifetime

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To celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope, Bishop John Iffert and 70 pilgrims from the Diocese of Covington, made a pilgrimage to Rome, Oct. 22–Nov. 1, to visit historical spiritual sites, pass through the Jubilee Holy Door and to attend the Angelus and General Audience in St. Peter’s Square to listen to Pope Leo XIV. Upon their return, the Messenger caught up with Bishop Iffert and pilgrims, Father Joseph Gallenstein, Michael and Christina Weller and Marybeth Bosko to hear about the experience.

Bishop Iffert enjoys witnessing the joy and connection among pilgrims

Laura Keener

Editor

Bishop Iffert uses a saying to differentiate pilgrims from tourists. “Tourists expect, pilgrims accept.” True to this point, the Rome pilgrimage was not without moments to accept, like the missed visit to the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua in Venice due to heavy rains and traffic.

“That’s a disappointment. But the folks did a good job of saying, ‘Well, I hate that we missed that, but it was the right decision,’” said Bishop Iffert.

But there were even more moments of acceptance that were welcome surprises, moments of meaningful spiritual experiences and joy. A standout for Bishop Iffert was a visit to the Tre Fontane Abbey, Rome. It is the site where St. Paul was beheaded. It is also a site where a mass grave believed to be of 10,000 Christian martyrs, persecuted in the Third Century under the Roman emperor Diocletian.

“They talk about two groups of people persecuted under Emperor Diocletian. One would be Christian workers who were forced to work on the construction of the Diocletian baths. And the other would be soldiers, where Diocletian was trying to rid the Roman legions of Christians,” said Bishop Iffert. “That was a very spiritual place, a very moving experience. I had never heard of that place and so it just snuck up on me how powerful that was.”

Celebrating Mass at the major basilicas — St. John Lateran, which is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome; the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and in a special way, the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

The Basilica of St. Mary Major is home to an icon of Blessed Mother known to be a favorite of Pope Francis. It is known as “Protectress of the Roman People,” and is one of the oldest in existence, being attributed to St. Luke. Also inside the Basilica is a bas-relief depicting the story of Our Lady of the Snows, a rare summer snowfall which, according to legend, fell on Aug. 5, 352, on the Esquiline Hill, one of the famed “Seven Hills” of Rome. On the anniversary each year, the Basilica reenacts the “miracle of the snows.” In Bishop Iffert’s home diocese of Belleville, there is a shrine to Our Lady of the Snows.

“To have Mass there with the pilgrims in that place, those liturgies, were highlights for me,” he said.

Bishop Iffert said he delighted in watching his fellow pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square as Pope Leo XIV passed by just feet away. And he was moved by the connectedness the pilgrims created in just a few days.

“I heard so many people on Saturday night as we were saying goodbye, and on Thursday as the group kind of divided into two, who really talked about how sad they were to leave their new friends,” said Bishop Iffert. “People talked about not only to encounter these holy sites and holy places, but to do that with a group of fellow believers and like-minded folks. It just really meant a lot to people. I think I was surprised by that a little bit.

“I am so blessed to be able to live my life in the heart of the Church, and to see that every day — to have those supports and encouragements every day. But for the pilgrims who joined the trip, there was a great testimony to that, to be able to travel and to see these sites and to make new friends. Some of them said that they felt like people they’ve only been traveling with for a couple of weeks, that it felt like they had been friends forever. And that’s a wonderful thing.”

Pastor reflects on unity, youth, upon returning to diocese from Rome

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Accompanying Bishop John Iffert and pilgrims to Rome, Father Joseph Gallenstein, pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Alexandria, reflected on the pilgrimage as a “wonderful trip” with “wonderful people.”

Fond memories such as concelebrating Mass with Bishop Iffert in various places, especially the papal basilicas, were just some of the experiences that Father Gallenstein highlighted about his experience across the ocean.

“I really enjoyed going to Assisi,” Father Gallenstein noted, “… what I did not realize until I was there was that Carlo Acutis is entombed in one of the churches there. That was a very moving experience.”

Being a pastor of a parish with a fairly large grade school, visiting the entombed saint stood out to Father Gallenstein. “My thoughts immediately went to young teens … As I was going through and passing his tomb, I was thinking and praying especially for our young folks who are fast approaching the Sacrament of Confirmation.”

Another stand out memory was at the Basilica of St. Sebastian over the Catacombs, where, while concelebrating Mass, other pilgrims and tourists joined in on Communion.

“It was evident that other people, moved by the fact that we were having Mass, wanted to receive the Eucharist,” said Father Gallenstein, recalling how other travelers joined the line for Communion line and were coming up to the alter to share it with them.

“So many other people wanted to receive the Eucharist,” Father Gallenstein said. “That was strangely moving to me. We were there as our own pilgrims, but yet there were millions of pilgrims coming on any given day. And those few had been moved by the Spirit and joined us in that Mass, at the table of the Lord. It really speaks to how big and diverse our Church really is.”

Pastor reflects on unity, youth, upon returning to diocese from Rome

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

After a whirlwind 10 days in Rome on a pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, the 70 Diocesan pilgrims have all made safe arrival back to the Diocese. While on their spiritual journey the pilgrims enjoyed the sights of early Catholicism, including the catacombs and centuries-old basilicas, while also enjoying the newer sights like St. Carlos Acutis’ resting place.

It was these tangible aspects of the Church and those early Christians that made the trip so impactful for pilgrims Michael and Christina Weller and Marybeth Bosko.

“Just connecting with the faith of Christians that came before us a millennia ago, seeing the Holy Doors and knowing that they were built around the fourth century and connecting with the faith of the people before us,” is what made the trip impactful said Mr. Weller, parishioner of St. Augustine Parish, Covington.

“You had a feeling of history in the sense of the permanence of these basilicas,” said pilgrim Marybeth Bosko, parishioner at St. Barbara Parish, Erlanger. “As you’re walking through the Holy Doors you get this feeling like ‘how many people and how many saints actually walked through these doors that I’m walking through right now.’”

For Mr. Weller it was the Abbey of the Three Fountains, or Abbazia dele Tre Fontane, where St. Paul was martyred, that stood out above the rest.

“Just the fact that St. Paul was there, and you could see his jail cell and where he was executed, and the road, the place was very powerful,” he said. “We all have our own St. Paul moment where we know we have to shape up a bit, I feel like that’s pretty tangible.”

For Ms. Weller, also a parishioner of St. Augustine Parish, Covington, it was a similar connection to Catholics before that made an impact, however the saint she felt connected to was not so far removed.

“We went and we saw St. Carlos,” she said, “I really liked that because I feel like seeing a saint who’s so close to our age, this guy worked on computers, it’s something so tangible to our generation.”

“I can definitely see why so many saints came from that region where Assisi is because it’s very peaceful,” said Ms. Weller, remembering her newfound fondness of the Assisi region.

For Ms. Bosko the Santa Scala, or Holy Stairs, was the most impactful. The stairs were brought over from Jerusalem by St. Helena and were originally in front of Pontius Pilate’s house. They have since been encased in wood and in order to further protect them pilgrims must “walk” up the stairs on their knees.

However, this was not a deterrent, “as you head up the stairs and the pain becomes more and more real, you’re focused only on Christ and his pain. When you complete it, you’re standing in front of this painting of Jesus on the cross, you get a sense of that you did something for him as he died for us,” said Ms. Bosko.

These experiences cultivated in the Diocesan pilgrims not just a newfound appreciation for Rome and early Christians, but a renewal of heart.

“It was not just a trip to Italy,” said Ms. Bosko. “It was a spiritual journey.”

DCCH Furnishing Futures campaign raises money for residential treatment program ahead of National Adoption Month

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

This year is the 30th annual celebration of National Adoption Month in the month of November. Dedicated by President Bill Clinton in 1995, National Adoption Month raises awareness for the children currently waiting for their forever families in the foster care system.

“It’s a time to raise awareness for the children that are in the foster care system needing an adoptive family,” said Ron Bertsch, therapeutic foster care and adoption director for the DCCH Center for Children and Families, Ft. Mitchell.

“I love that it’s in November,” he said, “this is the month of Thanksgiving, so we offer thanks for the families that have accepted this calling and took on the challenge of adopting children from foster care.”

Currently, there are 1,234 children in the Northern Kentucky foster care system, 222 of whom have an end goal of adoption. In the whole state, there are 8,678 children in the foster care system, with 347 of those children being listed on the state website as eligible for adoption.

“In Kentucky, about eighty-five percent of the adoptions that take place are foster-to-adopt, so people have to take on that fostering role first, then adopt,” said Mr. Bertsch.

“There’s a year, two years fostering timeline that has to happen if it’s a brand-new case, that’s usually because we give the birth parents at least fifteen months to rehabilitate,” said Mr. Bertsch.

Due to this long process, many of the children available for adoption are older. “There are very few that are under the age of six or seven,” said Mr. Bertsch. However, older children are not as likely to be adopted as younger children are.

“I think people are scared of taking an older child,” said Mr. Bertsch, “they have a lot more history and trauma; they have more things that they’re bringing into the home.”

DCCH Center for Children and Families recognizes the need for older children to “feel at home while they heal for the future that awaits them,” wrote Denise Govan, president, in an August newsletter.

The DCCH Center for Children and Families residential treatment program provides 32 of those children a chance of normalcy. There are four apartments in the residential treatment program, each of which has eight bedrooms, a kitchen and common areas like a living and dining room. Currently, DCCH Center for Children and Families is running a “Furnish Futures” donation campaign to help update the furniture in those common spaces.

“The furniture in our four residential apartments is now over a decade old – worn down, patched and no longer reflecting the warm, inviting space our children need,” wrote Ms. Govan.

Mr. Bertsch said, “what we’re looking for is new, heavy-duty, sturdy and good quality that will last.”

While the “Furnishing Futures” campaign is winding down, donations are always accepted. To learn more about the campaign or to donate, go to dcchcenter.org/ff-donate/.

Welcome back chimera

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Twenty-four of the 32 chimeras have been delivered to the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington. Chimera are the terracotta mystical creatures, popularly called gargoyles, that line the parapet of the Cathedral. Each chimera takes one full day to install with instillations beginning the week of Nov. 10. The instillation of the chimera is one of the final steps in the restoration of the Cathedral as the project is intended to be completed in early 2026. Due to deterioration and safety concerns, the chimeras were removed in March 2023. Using 3D scans, artisans at New York’s Boston Valley Terra Cotta recreated the chimera.

Archive for women religious to preserve Benedictine archives, promote the witness of vocation

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

National conversation sparks among religious congregations: historical collections, stories and legacies hang in the balance as an increasing number of religious communities and congregations are coming to completion, as members age with no new novices to replace the population. As a result, some of these important archives would end up lost, or thrown out, according to Ursuline Sister Susan Durkin, asking the questions: “How do we preserve them properly? How do we make them available in a responsible way for research?”

These questions are sought to be answered by the Women Religious Archive Collective (WRAC) — which, spearheaded by the work of Sister Susan, broke ground on the campus of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, Cleveland, in July of this year.

The $24 million project will support the archives of 44 congregations across the United States and Canada, with capacity to host up to 75 — among these congregations is the Diocese of Covington’s own Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg Monastery.

The Benedictines came to the Diocese of Covington in 1859 with three German sisters dedicated to teaching the German children of St. Joseph Parish. For more than 160 years, the Benedictine Sisters have been ingrained in the culture of the Northern Kentucky area, with their missions contributing to education, and care for the sick, poor and elderly. They founded Villa Madonna College (which has become Thomas More University), Villa Madonna Academy and Madonna Manor. These contributions and their histories are just part of the important stories that will be held in the collaborative archives.

The property for the project was purchased from Cleveland’s Sisters of Charity, who have served the city of Cleveland since 1865. “We wanted to be in a space where sisters have historically served,” explained Sister Susan, who additionally said that the WRAC also wanted the building to be “close to a freeway and accessible from an airport. We wanted to be within a nexus of institutions.”

This concept is realized due to the location being within a 20-mile radius of seven colleges and institutions, which ties into the space’s secondary mission to be an “investment to the community.”

“It’s really about preserving the history of the Catholic sisters and making it accessible in a variety of ways,” said Sister Susan. “It’s about inspiring people to know that the issues and problems that they may meet in their time are something that Catholic sisters have repeatedly overcome time and time again … Our center is going to be able to inspire and give real time example to the Gospel call of passion.”

Besides housing archives and records for the various congregations the archive is partnering with, the space will also include permanent and temporary exhibits and meeting spaces — with hopes to house students and researchers alike. “There’s going to be all kinds of possibilities for us once the building opens,” Sister Susan said.

The archives are currently projected to be opened in the fall of 2027, and the successful campaign has so far raised over $20 million of the $24 million goal.

The most important aspect of the project is the “witness value that a center like this will bring,” said Sister Susan, “with having this many collections in the various charisms, this really is a promotion of the witness to mission and faith-driven service — the importance of a vocation.”

All Hallowtide triduum honors the Faithful Departed

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

When talking about the turning of fall and end of October, the holiday of Halloween often comes to mind. Carving pumpkins, ghost stories, bright costumes and candy are all associated with “All Hallow’s Eve” — just one of the three celebrations actually part of the Christian triduum known as “All Hallowtide.”

All Hallowtide is a season intended for both celebration and prayer, honoring all the faithful departed — both those in Heaven and in purgatory.

For many who grew up Catholic, having a day off school the day after Halloween was a welcome treat. November 1, the day following, is known as All Saints’ Day, or “All Hallow’s”— a solemnity in the Catholic Church. As All Saints’ Day falls on a Wednesday this year, it is a day of obligation.

The origin of All Saints’ Day comes from the 4th century, where early Christians would sporadically hold festivals and commemorations for all martyrs. Years later, during the 8th century, on Nov. 1, Pope Gregory III would dedicate an oratory in Old St. Peter’s Basilica to the relics of “all saints.” This date would eventually become the celebration of all saints and martyrs that we celebrate today, as well as a day of obligation throughout the Catholic Church. However, in 2025, as the holiday falls on a Saturday — the day is not considered a day of obligation for this year.

Similarly, the third day of the All Hallowtide triduum occurs on Nov. 2, a day of prayer and remembrance known as “All Souls’ Day,” or “Day of the Dead,” in some cultures. Prior to the establishment of this official date, Catholics would celebrate All Souls’ Day on various dates during the Easter season. These celebrations were much similar to how they’re celebrated today, mostly by remembering and praying for the deceased, specifically for souls in purgatory, and visiting cemeteries.

The Nov. 2 date that All Souls’ is celebrated on today was established during the 10th century by St. Abbot Odilo of Cluny, who originally bid members of his community to pray for the relief of souls in purgatory. This date would soon be adopted throughout the Catholic Church and persists to this day.

Notre Dame Academy student emphasizes works of mercy in Thanksgiving card artwork

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Greidy Deleon’s watercolor depiction of Jesus washing the feet of the apostles has been selected as the artwork for Bishop John Iffert’s annual Thanksgiving card, sent to over 7,000 people throughout the Diocese of Covington. Ms. Deleon is a student of Notre Dame Academy, Park Hills, her artwork was selected from that of her peers to represent Bishop Iffert’s message of thanksgiving.

The Office of Stewardship and Mission services invites one of the nine Diocesan high schools to submit student artwork on the theme of thanksgiving to go on the Thanksgiving card. The chosen high school will submit artwork for two years before a new school is selected. This being Notre Dame Academy’s first year, they will invite students to submit artwork next year as well.

When Ms. Deleon heard about the open submissions from her art teacher, she did not have high hopes. “I didn’t really think I had a chance,” she said. When her art teacher, Hunter Fleury, told her that her artwork had been selected, “I was shocked because I didn’t really think I was going to make it,” she said.

Ms. Deleon’s artwork depicts Jesus washing the feet of an unknown apostle, an idea inspired by the virtue of thanksgiving. “My art teacher said to think of Thanksgiving as giving yourself and doing service. That reminded me of Jesus and washing the feet of the apostles,” she said.

“I feel like when people will see this, they’ll know that they should also give service because that’s what Jesus told us to do, and that’s the example he left here on Earth for us,” said Ms. Deleon.

Community Baby Shower provides more than resources, it provides dignity

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

In a collaborative effort with the Pregnancy Care Network, an agency collective dedicated to pregnancy care, the Diocese of Covington Pro-Life Office hosted the biannual Community Baby Shower, Oct. 23, at the Holy Spirit Parish Center, Newport. These community baby showers serve those who otherwise may not be able to access care items for their children.

Peggy Piccola, administrative assistant, Pro-Life Office, said, “The goal of the event is to provide needed items of expecting parents, young families, who might not otherwise have the capability or the resources to have these items for their children.”

Over 220 expectant mothers were in attendance, with 22 different agencies tabling the event with resources for the expectant mothers and young families.

“We want them to have the tools to help them be successful in parenting,” said Faye Roch, director of the Pro-Life Office. “The agencies help people anywhere from giving them assistance to getting a GED and job placements, to car seats and health safety.”

Once the mothers or families have signed into the event, they are gifted a care package with “nice lotions, shower gels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and items for the baby,” said Mrs. Piccola. “Some of these families don’t have the resources to have nice showers thrown for them where they can get these gifts, so we want to make everybody feel special,” she said.

To provide an abundance of baby items to ensure that everyone is provided for, parishes, schools, and organizations rallied to collect donations.

Mrs. Roch said that this community involvement is, “one of the most amazing things about the baby shower.”

“It is generously supported by our diocesan parishes, and without all the help from these parishes who donate just a massive amount of items — from diapers, wipes, baby clothing, strollers, wagons, pack and plays — we would not be able to be this generous,” she said. “Everybody has a little hand in it. It’s a Holy Spirit moment.”

The location of the community baby shower rotates from county to county, ensuring that everyone has equal access to pregnancy care services.

“At a previous shower, a mom made the comment that her baby didn’t have any new clothes,” said Mrs. Piccola, emphasizing the impact of the baby showers. “That would have been her child’s first new outfit.”

While the impact of these new outfits, diapers, and community services cannot be overstated, there is another, equally as important, piece to these community baby showers, said Mrs. Piccola. “I think the most important part is for these women to feel that they’re accepted and that people care, and to provide them with things for their baby, it’s just the dignity of it. I think it’s helpful for them to know that there are people out there that care about them.”

Thirty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time

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Father Dan Schomaker

Guest

St. Benedict instructs, “keep death before your eyes always.” On the annual priests’ retreat a few years ago, the Retreat Master asked a very poignant question: “Do you pray for your death?” I’m going to make an assumption that most of us tend to avoid thinking about death, especially our own. It is not a particularly joyful subject to the modern mind. What is it that we are so afraid of? The unknown? Are we focused on what is lost or on what is gained?

Jesus makes a promise to his disciples — to us! And Jesus always keeps his promises: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (John 14: 2-3)

When I was in my early 30s, I decided to purchase the casket for my funeral. I did this for the practical reasons: I knew what I wanted and didn’t want to leave the decision to anyone else — and, in the hope that I would live a long life, it would be cheaper versus when I’m in my 80s or 90s (or so I assume). I’ve also chosen the prayers and readings and music that I want at my funeral. In a way, this is keeping death before my eyes … kind of.

The Retreat Master, however, was not encouraging us to do the practical planning, as good as that is. He was encouraging us to pray and talk to God about the type of death we would have.

What will it look like? What will be my attitude? Will it be a holy death? Will it be filled with grace? Will I accept it as a gift? Will I die as a witness to the faith? Will my death be a model for others? Am I willing to say: “Thy will be done.” Will I be angry if it doesn’t happen the way I want? How do I approach the reality of dying?

Remember, if you want to go to heaven, you have to die! It’s the only way. Oh, and you can’t escape it!

In this month of November as we pray in a special way for the faithful departed, that they may rest in the eternal peace and joy of God, let us also reflect on our own death, making it part of our daily prayer. In this way, we will be prepared for death whenever it comes. We are never guaranteed our next breath.

For the one who knows the Lord, there is nothing to be afraid of — death is just the journey into the fullness of life and love — God, surrounded by the angels and saints awaits us! Therefore, let us always be prepared to meet the Lord!

Father Daniel Schomaker is pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Ft. Mitchell and director, Office of Worship and Liturgy for the Diocese of Covington, Ky.

Son of local family blessed by Pope Leo XIV on a trip to Rome

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

When Charles and Kaitlin Marks traveled to Rome with their six children for the canonization of Sts. Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlos Acutis, their sights were set on a spiritually fulfilling trip. Their experience, however, far exceeded their expectations when, during a papal audience, Pope Leo XIV selected from the crowd the Marks’ young son, Jack. Pope Leo had Jack lifted from Mrs. Marks’ arms and brought to him, blessing him before returning him to his weeping parents.

“We knew, we knew we wanted to try to get one of our children blessed,” said Mrs. Marks. “So when we got through security and we stepped into the square, we prayed, ‘Holy Spirit, help us know where to stand.’”

Whether it was divine intervention through the Holy Spirit or the small American flag that Mr. Marks had given Jack, their hope of having a child blessed was fulfilled in, “such a joyful moment,” said Mr. Marks.

The Marks made the decision to travel to Rome for the canonizations because of a deep devotion to St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, who has been the wedded couple’s patron saint since they were dating.

“We just came up with this prayer consecrating our relationship to the Lord, and at the end of it, we would say, ‘Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us.’ That’s where our devotion to him started,” said Mrs. Marks.

In this way, the couple’s devotion to the recently canonized saint has come full circle. From prayers of two college students to those of married parents with six children, St. Pier Giorgio Frassati has provided them with spiritual nourishment.

“We felt like we just had to be there for the canonization of Pier Giorgio … we felt from God asking us to do this for our children,” said Mrs. Marks.

As for young Jack, the experience of his papal blessing can be summed up in just a few words. “Kaitlin asked him, ‘Jack, how does it feel to be blessed by Pope Leo,’ and he just says happy,” recalled Mr. Marks.

St. Frassati was an Italian Catholic activist dedicated to social justice and a member of the Third Order of St. Domnic. He was an avid mountaineer and athlete. He died July 4, at the age of 24, of polio. His feast day is July 4. He is patron of young Catholics, mountaineers and Third Order Dominicans.

Father Kunath installed as pastor of Sts. Boniface and James Parish in centuries old

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Father Conor Kunath was officially installed pastor at Sts. Boniface and James Church, Ludlow, October 19, after two years of ministry as parochial administrator. Bishop John Iffert installed Father Kunath to his pastorate during a Mass celebrating the Rite of Instillation of a Pastor.

This rite has roots in the early fourth-century Church where the Latin verb “installare” can be found in the medieval apostolic constitution. However, the formal, liturgical rite was not formalized until the sixteenth-century Council of Trent. Now, the rite is practiced according to the modern Roman Missal.

Many pastors choose not to participate in the formal Rite of Instillation of a Pastor, as the Code of Canon Law 527 outlines that a pastor’s responsibilities begin, “from the moment he takes possession.” However, Father Kunath welcomed the opportunity to celebrate the beginning of his pastorate with the parish.

“I have wanted to be a priest since I was seven years old,” said Father Kunath. “I looked forward to days exactly like this. I prayed for the people I would minister to my entire life.”

As part of the rite of installation, Bishop Iffert said to Father Kunath, “remember to always be a loving father, a gentle shepherd, and a wise teacher of your people, so that you may lead them to Christ who will strengthen all that you do.”

Together, Bishop Iffert and Father Kunath processed from the altar to each of the sacramental stations of the Church, where Father Kunath will confer to his parishioners the sacraments of the Catholic faith. The baptismal font, confessional, ambo, presidential chair and tabernacle were all incensed by Father Kunath, blessing them ahead of his pastoral ministry.

In a parting message to Father Kunath at the conclusion of Mass, Bishop Iffert said, “If you continue to carry with you the openness and standard of Christ wherever you go, I’m confident that will be your experience.”

Reflecting on his time already spent at Sts. Boniface and James, two years of which were as pastoral administrator and three months of which as pastor, Father Kunath said, “I got here and I got to meet this wonderful parish here in Ludlow … a place that I can truly call my own, a place where my flock lives. So, it has been one of the greatest blessings of my life that I get to be your pastor here.”